Incubator loaded for First Time

[FloorCandy]

Ok, so I just took a few out at a time and about a dozen weren't fertile leaving me with 23. Next time I will use your suggestion and get another set of hands to have less time with the lid off. Have you been using the lid candler or a seperate one?
I was letting the thermometer go around the turner. I also have the vent open halfway, have not tried with the vent closed. I feel like I had read that the vent was supposed to be halfway open then all the way open at lockdown. If you don't mind me asking how are you operating your vent

The first time I basically did what the directions said. After that I tested the temp and saw that when the vent was open it was a slight variance, so what I tried to do was during the first 15 days the vent is wide open and I put the water in the the one slot, the eggs roll thru any cool or hot spots. At lockdown I play with it, trying to keep the humidity high but not too high, and not having the vent open all the way. During lock down it’s easier to add a small narrow cup of water because the turner is out so I’ve tried that. Idk, the last time I didn’t sweat it, and 100% hatched. I even tried rotating the lid in my second hatch, so the vent would not always be on the same side. I think my fluctuation was not enough to cause issues.

 

[MDBird]

Thank you for the tips, I'll have to mess with it some next time. I wasn't sweeting it too much and hearing you had 100 percent last times sounds like that is safe.

 

[FloorCandy]

Thank you for the tips, I'll have to mess with it some next time. I wasn't sweeting it too much and hearing you had 100 percent last times sounds like that is safe.

I only had 15 set last time, one was a dud on day 6. This time I have 39 or so left in there, I guess it’ll be the big test for me haha.

 

[FloorCandy]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...r-the-humidity-in-the-incubator.75975/reviews

Did you see this? I’m never opening the crappy vent again!!! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.

 

[MDBird]

Im embarrassed, but don't understand what I'm looking at lol. Are they saying they use rice inside a paper towel to control the humidity.

 

[FloorCandy]

Im embarrassed, but don't understand what I'm looking at lol. Are they saying they use rice inside a paper towel to control the humidity.

Yeah, uncooked rice will absorb humidity from the air. It should help with tweaking the humidity. I’m definitely going to try this at lockdown.

 

[Xouie]

6 more days, right?

Gotta Quail math!

 

[MDBird]

Just put 23 eggs in lockdown. From what I could tell they all were fertile and developing. Quite a few less then what I started with but still hoping for the best.

 

[MDBird]

Woke up this morning and found one egg had pipped. Came back a little while later and spotted the second. So getting excited, since I think they are good signs. I need to make sure I finish getting the brooder setup. Trying not to count my chicks before they hatch though lol

 

[Ravenlover]

Keep us updated woooo